Music, dances and poetry to take stage for upcoming season at Walters Cultural Arts Center

The Walters Cultural Arts Center returns its 2024-25 season, and the stage is set for performances spanning from the eclectic to the electric.

From the quiet power of whispered poetry to the thunderous rhythms of Middle Eastern rock, the upcoming lineup showcases diversity in sound and narrative — opening a window into the human experience and putting creativity under the spotlight.

The season marks its return Sept. 27, with the award-winning trio Acoustic Guitar Summit, back with virtuosic blends of blues, jazz, reggae and Hawaiian slack key. A mix of original compositions and reimagined classics, the trio's music has found its way to national television, major films and venues around the globe.

October ushers in an array of performances that honor the mystical and the historical. On Oct. 3, poet and storyteller Valentina Ortiz will weave memories and magical realism in a tribute to her father, the Mexican painter Emilio Ortiz Sosa. Through her stories, Ortiz captures the essence of the man but also the spirit of a generation of Mexican artists navigating the tumultuous 1970s.

BloodyVox offers a macabre experience Oct. 18, hosting a Halloween celebration of spine-tingling choreography. Led by Emmy Award-winning choreographers Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland, the performance immerses the audience in a world of ghostly chills, where all are encouraged to dress up for the occasion.

On Oct. 25, the soulful strains of Liz Vice will fill Hillsboro’s performing arts center with a voice that echoes greats like Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin. Vice, a Portland native now based in Brooklyn, brings a repertoire rich in joy, hope and heartache.

The first family matinee of the season, Portland Opera to Go presents its new youth production: "Shizue: An American Story." The opera delves into the life of the remarkable poet and artist Shizue Iwatsuki with performances at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26.

As the season unfolds, each performance provides something new to the Walters stage, whether it's the rhythms of Boka Marimba on Nov. 15 or the barbershop harmonies of PDX Voices on May 2.

To discover the full lineup and secure tickets, visit Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/Walters .